The Reading Symphony Orchestra (RSO) announces that it has extended its contract with Executive Director David Gross for three years. Mr. Gross joined the RSO in September 2017. Over the past four years, Mr. Gross has fostered financial stability for the RSO by increasing earned and contributed revenue. During COVID-19, David secured PPP funds to pay RSO musicians during the pandemic and pivoted the organization to begin streaming orchestra concerts.
“David’s strong and clear leadership over the past few years has been critical to the Reading Symphony Orchestra’s success,” said RSO board president Michael Duff. “His steady management of the RSO during the recent pandemic will ensure that we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever as we continue to fulfill our mission to provide world class music in the greater Reading area. The Board is confident that David is uniquely qualified to lead the RSO into the future, and I am personally thrilled to be able to continue to work closely with David as Board President.”
During Gross’ tenure the RSO presented its first movie with live orchestra performance in Reading, PA and the first performance by the Reading Symphony Orchestra at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Though the event was prematurely ended by COVID-19, David created the “Celebration of Women in the Arts” with over 20 local arts organizations participating. Most recently, he worked with the EnerSys corporation to hold the highly successful RSO July 4th concert on their grounds, garnering the highest attendance ever for that event.
RSO Music Director Andrew Constantine shared, “Reading and the Reading Symphony Orchestra are hugely fortunate to have David Gross in our community. His dedication, phenomenal work ethic and understanding of the music business are helping the orchestra go from strength to strength. As Music Director I find his openness and integrity, as well as his ‘can do’ attitude, enormously supportive and energizing. It goes without saying that I’m delighted to continue my work with David”.
“It has been a privilege to work with the Reading Symphony Orchestra over the past 4 years and I am honored to be asked to continue in my role as Executive Director,” Gross said. He concluded, “We have a terrific team with Mike Duff as our President leading an engaged board, Andrew Constantine providing great artistic vision, a very professional staff, and most important, a wonderfully supportive community.”
